BILL NUMBER: ACR 13	CHAPTERED  02/16/00

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   19
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   FEBRUARY 16, 2000
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   FEBRUARY 15, 2000
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   FEBRUARY 7, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   FEBRUARY 3, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   FEBRUARY 16, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Wright
   (Principal coauthors:  Assembly Members Villaraigosa, Vincent,
Washington, and Wesson)
   (Principal coauthors:  Senators Hughes and Murray)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Ackerman, Alquist, Aroner, Ashburn,
Baldwin, Bates, Battin, Baugh, Calderon, Campbell, Cardenas, Corbett,
Correa, Cox, Cunneen, Davis, Dickerson, Ducheny, Dutra, Florez,
Frusetta, Gallegos, Granlund, Havice, Hertzberg, Honda, House,
Jackson, Kaloogian, Keeley, Kuehl, Leach, Lempert, Leonard,
Longville, Lowenthal, Machado, Maddox, Maldonado, Margett, Mazzoni,
Migden, Nakano, Olberg, Oller, Robert Pacheco, Rod Pacheco, Papan,
Pescetti, Reyes, Romero, Runner, Scott, Shelley, Soto, Steinberg,
Strickland, Strom-Martin, Thompson, Torlakson, Wayne, Wiggins,
Wildman, and Zettel)

                        FEBRUARY 12, 1999

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 13--Relative to Black History
Month.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 13, R. Wright.  Black History Month.
   This measure would recognize February 2000 as Black History Month,
urge all citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of
African-Americans during Black History Month, and encourage the
people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and
contributions that African-Americans make to their communities.




   WHEREAS, The history of African-Americans here in the United
States, as well as throughout the ages, is indeed unique and vibrant,
and it is appropriate to celebrate this history during the month of
February 2000, which has been proclaimed as Black History Month; and
   WHEREAS, The history of the United States is rich with
inspirational stories of great men and noble women whose actions,
words, and achievements have united Americans and contributed to the
success and prosperity of the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Among those Americans who have enriched our society are
the members of the African-American community--individuals who have
been steadfast in their commitment to promoting brotherhood,
equality, and justice for all; and
   WHEREAS, From the earliest days of the United States, the course
of its history has been greatly influenced by Black heroes and
pioneers in many diverse areas, from science, medicine, business, and
education to government, industry, and social leadership; and
   WHEREAS, This year we celebrate Black History Month in a new
century.  An old African proverb states, "Only when you have crossed
the river, can you say the crocodile has a lump on his snout."
Therefore as we move forward in the 21st Century we believe it is
time we began to cross the river.  The river in this case will be
historical contributions of Africans/African-Americans to our
society.  Quickly, we will try to bring to light historical
accomplishments and facts of Africans/African-Americans across the
globe; and
   WHEREAS, Scholars and scientists generally accept that Africa is
the continent where mankind first saw the light of day.  Scientists
believe that man, therefore, began in Africa and migrated out to
populate the other continents; and
   WHEREAS, One of the first civilizations in the history of the
world was Egypt, an empire that rose about six thousand years ago
along the Nile River.  The ancient Egyptians had developed a very
complex religious system, called Mysteries, which was also the first
system of salvation.  In addition, it is understood that Egyptians by
their study of astronomy discovered the solar year and were the
first to divide it into 12 parts and were the architects of the great
pyramids of Egypt; and
   WHEREAS, During the first millennium, the Catholic Church had
three popes who were either from Africa or of African descent:  Saint
Victor I (189-99), Saint Miltiades (311-14), and Saint Gelasius I
(492-96); and
   WHEREAS, The slave trade was a tragic episode in African history
and began before August 1619 when the first slaves arrived in
Jamestown, Virginia.  During the course of the slave trade, an
estimated 50 million African men, women, and children were lost to
their native continent, though only about 15 million arrived safely
to a new home.  The others lost their lives on African soil or along
the Guinea coast, or finally in holds on the ships during the dreaded
Middle Passage across the Atlantic Ocean; and
   WHEREAS, In spite of the African slave trade, many
Africans/African-Americans continued to move forward in society;
during the Reconstruction period, two African-Americans served in the
United States Senate and 14 sat in the House of Representatives; and

   WHEREAS, The first American to shed blood in the revolution that
freed America from British rule was Crispus Attucks (March 5, 1770,
Boston Massacre), an African-American seaman and slave.
African-Americans also fought in wars such as the battles of
Lexington and Concord in April, 1775, Ticonderoga, White Plains,
Bennington, Brandywine, Saratoga, Savannah, Yorktown, Bunker Hill,
the Revolutionary War, the battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1775,
the battle of New Orleans, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War,
World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam; and
   WHEREAS, Africans/African-Americans have also been great
inventors, inventing such things as the air-conditioning unit,
almanac, automatic gear, blood plasma bag, cellular phone, clothes,
doorknob, doorstop, electric lamp bulb, elevator, fire escape ladder,
fire extinguisher, fountain pen, gas mask, golf tee, guitar,
horseshoe, lantern, lawnmower, lawn sprinkler, lock lubricating cup,
motor, refrigerator, riding saddles, spark plug, stethoscope, stove,
phone transmitter, thermostat control, traffic light, and typewriter;
and
   WHEREAS, A number of these brave and accomplished individuals,
such as Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Matthew
Hansen, Daniel Hale Williams, Charles Drew, and, of course, Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., are noted prominently in the history books
of students nationwide, thus enabling them to learn about the
important and lasting contributions of these individuals; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature takes great pleasure in
recognizing February 2000 as Black History Month, urges all citizens
to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African-Americans
during Black History Month, and encourages the people of California
to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions that
African-Americans make to their communities; and be it further
   Resolved That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
